Cleveland Indians load up on talented veterans

A funny thing happened to the Indians on their expected rebuilding project this winter. Instead of getting younger they got older.

Instead of getting more inexperienced they got way more experienced.

Instead of building for the future they were built for the now. Instead of not spending any money, they spent a whole lot of money.

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Funny how those things work. So here it is, after a winter of expected inactivity turned into a winter of frantic activity, the Indians are going to swing for the fences in 2013 and see what happens.

"I'm really excited," new Tribe manager Terry Francona told reporters at the team's spring training camp in Goodyear, Ariz. "I didn't know where this winter was going to go. I saw what Chris (Antonetti) was trying to do, and one thing led to another."

Going into the offseason the rumor mill was churning. The Indians were rumored to be willing to listen to trades for veteran players such as Shin-Soo Choo, Chris Perez, Asdrubal Cabrera and Justin Masterson.

Four months later, Perez, Cabrera and Masterson are still on the team. Only Choo, who was on the free agent clock, was traded.

"There's a difference between having a veteran and having a solid veteran," Francona said. "Having a solid veteran presence is really welcomed. Those guys will help."

Francona managed the Boston Red Sox for eight years (2004-2011), so he is used to having a veteran-laden roster. Red Sox Nation won't tolerate a roster rebuild in Boston.

However, Francona said he understood when he took the job with the Indians that he wasn't in Boston, anymore. The option to rebuild at a moment's notice comes with the turf in Cleveland.

"I told Chris whatever path we take I'll do my best to make it the best team I can," Francona said.

As it turned out, Francona's first team with the Indians is going to look a lot like all of his teams with the Red Sox. Lots of age. Lots of experience. Lots of veterans.

Asked if he thought at the start of the off-season that the Indians needed more veterans, Francona said, "Not necessarily. I didn't know what direction we would go. We didn't want to get veterans just for the sake of getting veterans. I'm not sure that always helps. But as the team started coming together, and one thing led to another, I'm very happy with the veterans Chris brought in. Sometimes getting the wrong veterans doesn't help."

Indians officials feel they have gotten the right veterans. The right veterans for them, anyway.

Francona is especially enamored with Giambi, who is in camp as a non-roster player on a minor-league contract, and whose chances of making the team seemingly took a major hit with the signing of Bourn.

That signing resulted in a trickle-down effect on the roster that bumped Reynolds from first base to the designated hitter role.

The DH slot was the most obvious landing spot for Giambi. But with Reynolds now in the mix, who knows?

Asked if the Indians could afford to keep a player on their roster who would potentially only be a part-time DH and pinch hitter, Francona responded with a quick, "Yes."

Clearly the new manager likes this particular old player.

"He's not just a veteran guy. He's THE veteran guy," said Francona of Giambi. "He interviewed for a manager's job (with Colorado). And that's not far from being a reality for him some day.

"I feel like it's an honor he's in our camp. He's everything you want in a player. He's got some mileage, but he's a good teammate. He respects game. He plays hard. He wants to win. Even when he's on the other team you always respected him, and didn't want see him at plate against you. He might be one of the most respected guys in the league."

He's also a veteran's veteran, and it's obvious Francona likes his veterans.